Selective point pencils



March 6, 1956 J. c. BERNEY SELECTIVE POINT PENCILS Filed July 20, 1953 a: 7/ /=///nA// Inventor Joseph C. Barney lwmmwa4zaa 93% w Aiwwwwu s 1: 2/3; w v7 2 1 i 4 5/72 %/F// V 1 H \\\\\N 7 mi a 2 58 a v United States Patent SELECTIVE POINT PENCILS Joseph C. Berney, Beaverton, Greg.

Application July 20, 1953, Serial No. 368,926

3 Claims. (Cl. 129-145) My invention relates to an improvement in selective point pencils or similar writing instruments having a more or less cylindrical barrel or shell containing a plurality of leads or other writing elements individually selectable for use and extendable longitudinally from the barrel.

An object of my invention is to provide a selective point pencil or similar writing instrument in which the operating mechanisms are contained within the outer shell or barrel.

Another object of my invention is to provide a selective point pencil of improved construction.

A further object of my invention is to provide a selective point pencil which will be more convenient and practical for ordinary use.

Reference is made to the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of my invention, in which drawings:

Fig. 1 is a partially revolved longitudinal section taken on the lines indicated by 11 in Figs. 4 and Fig. 2 is a corresponding longitudinal section of the lower portion of the pencil showing one of the lead holders in lead-ejecting position;

Fig. 3 is a corresponding longitudinal section of the upper portion of the pencil showing two of the lead holders in maximum retracted inoperative position and with the selector top and indicator cap in selecting position;

Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken on the line indicated by 4-4 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on the line indicated by 55 in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view drawn to a smaller scale, of the entire pencil.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts in the different views.

Briefly my improved pencil includes an outer barrel 3, to which is attached a Writing tip 13, an inner barrel 9 fitting inside the outer barrel 3 and rotatable therein and having a plurality (thus 3 in the device as illustrated) of equally-spaced longitudinal slots 9', a selector cap 2 integral with and extending from the top of the interior barrel 9, an indicator cap l, and a plurality (thus 3 in the device as illustrated) of leadlholders 7, one lead holder being located in each of the longitudinal slots of the inner barrel.

The outer barrel 3 constitutes the outer shell of the pencil. The lower end of the outer barrel 3 and the top portion of the writing tip 13 are formed as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 so that they will be maintained in connected relationship while permitting relative rotation between them on the longitudinal axis of the pencil. The inner wall of the outer barrel 3 is formed with one or more continuous, spiral grooves 24 (Fig. 1) which extend from the lower end of the barrel 3 to an annular inside groove near the upper end of the barrel 3. The barrel 3 terminates at its top end with an internal annular flange 26. The inner barrel 9 fits within the outer barrel 3 and ice the two barrels are rotatable relatively with respect to each other.

Three identical equally-spaced longitudinal slots 9' extend longitudinally along the inner barrel from the bottom of the inner barrel to the upper or selector top portion 2 of the inner barrel. The writing tip 13 has a detent projection 23 (Fig. l) which extends up into one of the longitudinal slots 9 of the inner barrel, when the inner barrel 9 is in normal position, in order to prevent relative rotation between the inner barrel 9 and the writing tip 13 when the inner barrel is in the lowermost position within the outer barrel 3, as illustrated in Fig. l, but permitting such relative rotation when the inner barrel is raised sufficiently so as to become temporarily disengaged from the detent projection 23.

The top or selector cap portion 2 of the inner barrel 9 extends through the top of the outer barrel 3, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, and terminates in an outwardly-extending annular flange 28. The exterior diameter of this integral selector cap 2 is reduced in order to provide a land for the coil spring 5 which is held under compression between the shoulder at the lower end of the reduced diameter portion and the internal flange 26 at the top of the outer barrel 3.

A writing material carrier or lead holder 7 is sl-idably positioned in each of the longitudinal slots 9 of the inner barrel 9. These lead holders 7 are identical and their cross sectional shape corresponds to the cross sectional area of each of the slots 9, as indicated in Fig. 4, so that the lead holders 7 will slide longitudinally in their respective slots but Will be held against any rotation therein with respect to the inner barrel 9. Each lead holder 7 has an outwardly projecting lug 16 (Fig. 4) adapted to engage a spiral groove 24 on the inner wall of the outer barrel 3 and to be movable along the same.

Each lead holder 7 has an integral, downwardly-extending rod 17 which is parallel to the common axis of the inner and outer barrels 9 and 3. A spring 1% is carried on each of the lead holder rods 17, the upper end of this spring being held in place by a split ring 19. The bottom end of each spring 10 extends entirely around the top ends of a pair of gripper leaves 11 so as to form a combination holder and hinge mounting for the pair of gripper leaves, the gripper leaves being slidable up and down on the rod 17 with the bottom end of the spring as the spring is compressed and subsequently returned to expanded position, as explained later. The gripper leaves 11 are shaped as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. A spring ring 20 is carried by and extends around the lower portion of each pair of gripper leaves and normally holds them in closed gripping position, as illustrated in Fig. 1, for exerting gripping engagement on the top end of a writing lead 12.

Each lead holder 7 also has an integral upwardly-extending finger 18. An annular groove on each finger 18 accommodates a circular ring 8, the outside diameter of which ring is slightly greater than that of the finger 18.

The bottom of the selector cap 2 has a plurality of holes 2''] (Fig. 3), one for eachof the longitudinal slots 9 of the inner barrel 9, which holes are so positioned as to accommodate the fingers 18 of the respective lead holders 7 when the lead holders are in extreme raised position. The spring rings 8 under such conditions serve to hold the fingers 18 in the corresponding holes in the bottom of the selector cap 2.

The indicator cap 1 has a stern portion located in an axial channel 30 in the selector cap 2, and the top or cap portion of the indicator cap is positioned above the flanged top of the selector cap 2. The lower portion 2 of the indicator cap 1 has an enlarged diameter, its diameter being almost equal to that of the channel 30 in the selector cap 2. A spring 4 has its bottom end engaged by the shoulder formed by the large diameter portion 29 while the top end of this spring bears against a shoulder 31 at the top of the channel 39. The bottom portion 29 of the indicator cap 1 has a downwardly extending projection 21 which is adapted to engage the finger 13 of one of the lead holders 7. An indicator mark on the periphery of the top of the indicator cap 1 is so arranged as to be in alignment with the downwardly extending projection 21.

The Writing tip 13 has a channel 22 adapted for substantial registry with a longitudinally-extending slot 9 of the inner barrel 9, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 5. A small diameter passageway 32 leads from the bottom end of the channel 22 through the remainder of the writing tip and provides a hole for the passage of the Writing lead 12 (Fig. 1) and also for a lead holder rod 17 (as shown in Fig. 2).

Fig. 1 shows one of the lead holders 7 in operable position in the longitudinal slot 9' of the inner barrel 9, which slot is in alignment with the channel 22 and passageway 32 of the Writing tip 13. The driving projecting lug 16 of this rod holder 7 projects into the spiral groove 24 of the outer barrel 3. Meanwhile the other two lead holders 7 are in inactive retracted upper position at the upper ends of their respective slots 9 and their driving lugs 16 are located in the annular groove of the outer barrel 3. Rotation of the outer barrel with respect to the writing tip 13 and inner barrel 9 in one direction will cause the operating lead holder to move downwardly in its longitudinal slot and cause the lead 12 which it carries to extend through the writing tip as illustrated in Fig. 1. Should it be desired to use another lead carried by one of the other lead holders 7 the outer barrel 3 is rotated in the opposite direction with respect to the writing tip 13 and inner barrel 9 until all three lead holders 7 are in fully retracted position. Under such condition all three lead holders will have their upwardly extending fingers 18 extending through their respective holes 27 in the bottom of the selector cap 2 and the indicator cap 1 will be in raised position due to the engagement of its projection 21 with the finger 18 of the previously active lead holder. The lifting of the indicator cap is a signal to the user of the pencil that all the leads are fully retracted and that the pencil is ready for a desired lead to be selected.

To select a new lead the selector cap 2 is raised, causing the inner barrel 9 to be raised within the outer barrel 3 and to become disengaged from the detent projection 23 of the writing tip 13. This enables the selector cap and inner barrel 9 to be rotated with respect to the writing tip 13 until the longitudinal slot of the lead holder with the desired lead is brought into registration with the channel 22 of the writing tip 13. Selector marks 14 are placed on the periphery of the flange 28 of the selector cap 2 as a guide in the setting of the inner barrel 9. When the selector cap 2 and inner barrel 9 have been rotated to the desired position, the selector cap 2 is pressed down causing the detent projection 23 of the writing tip 13 to reengage a longitudinal slot of the inner barrel 9 and prevent further rotation of the inner barrel 9 with respect to the Writing tip 13.

The indicator cap 1, which is still in raised position with respect to the selector cap 2, is turned until its indicator mark 15 is in line with the mark on the selector cap 2 and thus in alignment with the channel 22 and passageway 32 in the writing tip 13.

The indicator cap 1 is now pressed downwardly, pushing the finger 18 of the lead holder '7 for the desired lead, down until its circular spring 8 is disengaged from the hole in the bottom portion of the selector cap 2. This will bring the driving projecting lug 16 of the selected lead holder into engagement with the top end of the spiral groove 24, whereupon rotation of the outer barrel 3 with respect to the writing tip 13 and selector cap 2 and inner barrel 9 will cause the selected lead holder to move downwardly in its longitudinal slot until the desired lead extends through the passageway 32 in the writing tip,

When a writing lead has been nearly used up the lower ends of the gripper leaves 11 will contact the shoulder at the lower end of the channel 22 as shown in Fig. 2. Further advance downwardly of the lead holder will compress the spring ltl as the rod 17 continues to move downwardly through the bottom end of the spring and the pair of gripper leaves carried by the bottom end of the spring, and as the compression force of the spring 10 increases this will also cause the gripper leaves to spread apart against the force of their spring ring 29 until they release the lead which will then be ejected by the downwardly moving rod 17. By rotating the barrel 3 in the opposite direction until the gripper leaves will again be brought into gripping position and inserting a new lead up through the passageway 32 until it is pressed into contact with the end of the rod 7, the new lead will be gripped by the gripper leaves and then can be drawn up into the pencil as the lead holder 7 is raised by rotation in the opposite direction.

The outer barrel 3 is preferably provided with the customary clip 6 for convenience in holding the pencil in the pocket.

Minor modifications in the construction of the individual members would be possible without departing from the principle and scope of my invention, but the particular form and construction in which I have illustrated each of the parts of my selective writing instrument, I consider to be preferable.

I claim:

1. In a mechanical selective pencil of the character described having an outer housing barrel with a spiral groove on its inside wall and an inner barrel rotatable relatively with respect to said outer housing barrel and having a plurality of identical longitudinal slots, a writing material carrier in each of said slots having means engaging said spiral groove, an upwardly-extending element on each writing material carrier, a selector cap fixed to the upper end of said inner barrel extending beyond the upper end of said outer housing barrel for manipulation of said inner barrel, cooperating engaging means on said selector cap and on said element of each of said carriers for maintaining the carrier in retracted inactive position when the carrier is at the upper end of its respective slot in said inner barrel, an indicator cap movably positioned in said selector cap, a member on the inner end of said indicator cap adapted for contact with the upwardly-extending element of a selected Writing material carrier, when such writing material carrier is in retracted inactive position, to enable such writing material carrier to be pushed downwardly away from said selector cap, a writing tip rotatably secured to the bottom of said outer housing barrel, said writing tip having an eccentric channel adapted for registry with any one of said longitudinal slots on said inner barrel, a downwardly-extending rod on each writing material carrier, and a plurality of writing material grippers slidably mounted on each rod.

2. In a mechanical selective pencil of the character described having an outer housing barrel with a spiral groove on its inside wall and an inner barrel rotatable relatively With respect to said outer housing barrel and having a plurality of identical longitudinal slots, a lead holder in each of said slots having an element engageable with said spiral groove, an upwardly-extending finger on each lead holder, a selector cap fixed to the upper end of said inner barrel extending beyond the upper end of said outer housing barrel for manipulation of said inner barrel, coopcrating engaging means on said selector cap and on said finger of each of said lead holders for maintaining the lead holder in retracted inactive position when the lead holder is at the upper end of its respective slot in saidinner barrel, an indicator cap movably positioned in said selector cap, a member on the inner end of said indicator cap adapted for contact with the upwardly-extending finger of a selected lead holder, when such lead holder is in retracted inactive position, to enable such lead holder to be pushed downwardly away from said selector cap, a writing tip rotatably secured to the bottom of said outer housing barrel, said writing tip having an eccentric channel adapted for registry with any one of said longitudinal slots on said inner barrel, a downwardly-extending rod on each lead holder, a plurality of lead grippers slidably mounted on each rod, and spring means slidably and hingedly holding said grippers on said downwardly-extending rods.

3. In a mechanical selective pencil of the character described having an outer housing barrel with a spiral groove on its inside Wall and an inner barrel rotatable relatively with respect to said outer housing barrel and having a plurality of identical longitudinal slots, a lead holder in each of said slots having means for engaging said spiral groove, an upwardly-extending element on each lead holder, a selector cap fixed to the upper end of said inner barrel extending beyond the upper end of said outer housing barrel for manipulation of said inner barrel, cooperating engaging means on said selector cap and on said element of each of said lead holders for maintaining the lead holder in retracted inactive position when the lead holder is at the upper end of its respective slot in said inner barrel, an indicator cap movably positioned in said selector cap, a member on the inner end of said indicator cap adapted for contact with the upwardly-extending element of a selected writing material carrier, when such writing material carrier is in retracted inactive position, to enable such writing material carrier to be pushed downwardly away from said selector cap, a writing tip rotatably secured to the bottom of said outer housing barrel, said writing tip having an eccentric channel adapted for registry with any one of said longitudinal slots on said inner barrel, an internal shoulder in said writing tip channel, a downwardly-extending rod on each lead holder, a plurality of lead gripper leaves slidably mounted on each rod, and spring means slidably and hingedly holding said gripper leaves on said downwardly-extending rods, said gripper leaves and spring means so arranged that when the gripper leaves on a rod of one of said lead holders are brought into contact with said shoulder in said writing tip channel, further downward movement of the latter mentioned lead holder will cause said gripper leaves to spread apart at their lower ends while the downwardlyextending rod moves further down through them.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 876,223 Newman et al. Jan. 7, 1908 2,624,313 Jacobsen et a1. Ian. 6, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 252,695 Italy Apr. 4, 1927 

